Malcolm Brogdon rescues Virginia after Syracuse’s late barrage
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Version 0 of 1. CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — With Virginia clinging to a 49-48 lead and Syracuse showing no sign of letting up, Malcolm Brogdon made his presence felt. The fifth-year senior guard made a three-pointer from just in front of the Cavaliers bench, prompting a timeout by Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim, and then made another one 29 seconds later, steadying No. 13 Virginia in its 73-65 victory against the Orange on Sunday night. “They definitely felt good,” Brogdon said after scoring 12 of his 21 points in the final 5 minutes 45 seconds. “It felt better because I felt like we were able to pick up some momentum defensively. Other guys were able to be aggressive. Things opened up a little more in the middle.” Anthony Gill and London Perrantes added 16 points apiece for the Cavaliers (15-4, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who squandered all of a 10-point second-half lead, but Boeheim left no doubt as to who he thought made the plays that determined the outcome. The Orange had just wrapped up a 12-2 run that turned a 10-point deficit into a tie game with 8 minutes to play when Brogdon got free for his big shots. “We had that run to get it back and had a few opportunities, but then Brogdon stepped up and his those big threes,” Boeheim said. “That’s what seniors do. . . . That’s what good players do — make those shots — and that was the difference.” The Orange had two of their own trying to be that guy, too. Michael Gbinije scored 24 points and Malachi Richardson 23 for the Orange (13-8, 3-5). Gbinije had 19 after halftime, hitting five three-pointers, and Richardson hit six three-pointers in all to help keep the Orange in the game. Syracuse made 13 three-pointers in total, nine coming after halftime. Two free throws by Devon Hall preceded the three-pointers from Brogdon as part of a 10-4 Cavaliers burst that gave them a 55-48 lead. Trevor Cooney later got loose for a long three to pull the Orange within 57-54 with 3:40 remaining. That’s when Brogdon’s back-court mate, Perrantes, decided to put his stamp on the victory, hitting his fourth three-pointer of the night and then scoring on a drive to help seal the win. — Associated Press |